Identify the line of reasoning in the text – what argument is
it making? What point of view is it expressing?
Critically evaluate the line of reasoning
- Does it contain relevant, contributing and sufficient
- propositions (reasons)?
- Does it contain logical progression?
- Does it contain false premises?
- Does it contain flawed reasoning?
Questioning surface appearances and checking for hidden
assumptions or agendas
- Is the evidence what it appears to be?
- Might there be other explanations apart from the obvious
- one?
- Has all necessary information been given, or might other details lead to a different conclusion?
- Are there interested parties who would gain if the
- conclusions were accepted?
- Are there hidden assumptions or agendas?
- Does the evidence come from a reliable, disinterested source?
The main points which characterise criticism are:
- agreeing with, or defending a position, or confirming its usefulness through an evaluation of its strengths and weaknesses;
- conceding that an existing approach or point of view has some merits which can be useful, but that others need to be rejected;
- focusing on ideas, theories and arguments and not on the author of those arguments, so as to produce careful, considered and justified evaluation;
- being aware of your own critical stance; identifying your reasons for selecting the work you have criticised and recognising the weaknesses of your critique;
- selecting elements from existing arguments and reformulating them to form a synthesis: a new point of view on some subject matter;
- finding fault in an argument by identifying fallacies, inadequacies, lack of evidence or lack of plausibility;
- identifying errors in a criticism made by another to provide correction and balanced criticism thereby advocating the usefulness of the original work and reasons for rejecting the criticism made of it.
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